SANTA MONICA — A convicted gang member was given a life sentence on Thursday, January 9 for the murder of two men in 2006.
Jose Zapien, 25, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and 95 years to life for the slayings of Eduardo “Eddie” Lopez, 15, and Miguel Martin, 20.
Zapien, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, targeted people who were in the company of members from rival gang Santa Monica 13. Zapien is a member of Sotel 13. In addition to the two murders, Zapien was also accused of 12 other attempted murders between 2004 and 2006.
“An individual who completely lacks any reverence for human life was removed from the streets forever today,” said Deputy District Attorney Andrew Cooper in a press release.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Lopez, who attended Santa Monica High School before his death, was out with friends in front of a liquor store on Pico Boulevard and 26th Street when he was shot by Zapien. He died on the scene.
Martin, a member of Santa Monica 13, was shot while in the company of other associates near Virginia Avenue Park on December 22, 2006, just two days after Zapien had murdered Lopez.
